Getting an Oceanfront Upgrade at the Grand Paraiso

LAtoro · 07-11-2012

Going to the Iberostar Grand Paraiso in a few days, and I'm hoping to upgrade to oceanfront. Anyone have any tips on getting a "comp" upgrade to oceanfront? I believe I can pay for the upgrade (50 - 60 $US/day), but should I tip the check-in person for a "comp" upgrade? How much is a good tip?

Thanks

**Shammy** · 07-11-2012

I wouldn't think the hotel is going to offer up any kind of free upgrade to a prime oceanfront room, and don't think a "tip" is going to be much help either. At times that tip can be taken as an insult by the staff - for thinking that an expensive upgrade can be had for $20, $50 or whatever. I've stayed at many AI hotels in the area and I personally would never offer a tip for an upgrade. If I want an upgrade, and I usually do, I ask how much and then decide if it's something I can afford. Feel free to try because you never know, but the only people I know who have been comped are several time repeat guests, or sometimes honeymooners who get very lucky. If it's a room you really want, then just ask what the cost is and pay for it. My dos pesos anyway.

LAtoro · 07-13-2012

Thanks for the reply.
I certainly wouldn't tip $20 for a $500 upgrade, but in my travels to Vegas, where upgrades are always available for the "whales" (which I am not one), I have found that handing a c-note upon checkin has yielded good results. I was just wondering if anyone had ever gone that route for an upgrade at the Grand.

**Shammy** · 07-13-2012

I'm quite sure someone has, and as mentioned, you can certainly try - all they can say is no. But an upscale, all inclusive adults only resort isn't like Vegas, "tips" can be taken offensively by some staff members but you'll only know how it works out when and if you try it.

To add: I see you posted the question of Trip Advisor and have 2 pages of responses. Those people are on the money, and pretty much said what I did but used the word "bribe" instead of tip. That's what I was talking about when I said that a "tip" can be taken as an insult, they just worded it more strongly than I did. That tip can cost someone their job if they were to upgrade you for it.

I would just ask how much the upgrade is, see if it's negotiable and if you want it, pay for it.

LAtoro · 07-30-2012

just wanted to provide an update...
We ended up getting a free upgrade from Oceanview to Oceanfront. No doubt the 40-45% occupancy was the major factor. And we did send a "chummy" email, in Spanish, a week ahead of time explaining that we were frequent Iberostar vacationers, first time at the Grand, and one of us was celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Funny thing: By the time we left (on July 23), the occupancy was at 75-80%. I would have thought the low occupancy would be for the summer months, given that this is adult only. At any rate, we had a great time (review forthcoming), and I'm happy it filled up...but not while we were there

LAtoro · 07-30-2012

Shammy, after reading the various replies on tripadvisor, I appreciate your mature response. I didn't think such an inquiry would result in some of the rude comments on TA.

**Shammy** · 07-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAtoro

Shammy, after reading the various replies on tripadvisor, I appreciate your mature response. I didn't think such an inquiry would result in some of the rude comments on TA.

It's quite easy to find rude comments there actually!

kizrakimm · 09-25-2012

I have stayed at the Iberostar Tucan 8 times in the past and this next time (Oct2) will be the 9th. I emailed them back when I booked the trip, in Jan, and asked for an upgrade. Of course they couldn't accommodate it for me at that time. In the last week, I have been emailing back and forth to them about upgrading one week out and of course, I have to pay for my room. It is $90/per night, but let me tell you, I requested a certain room, and we love it!! I would pay $150 per night extra for that room. Excellent location. I just wish someone would be nice and comp me for a change..Oh well. I will always return to the Tucan, no matter what!!! Love it!!!

07-11-2012	#1 (permalink)
LAtoro sandflea Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4	Getting an Oceanfront Upgrade at the Grand Paraiso Going to the Iberostar Grand Paraiso in a few days, and I'm hoping to upgrade to oceanfront. Anyone have any tips on getting a "comp" upgrade to oceanfront? I believe I can pay for the upgrade (50 - 60 $US/day), but should I tip the check-in person for a "comp" upgrade? How much is a good tip? Thanks

07-30-2012	#5 (permalink)
LAtoro sandflea Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4	Update just wanted to provide an update... We ended up getting a free upgrade from Oceanview to Oceanfront. No doubt the 40-45% occupancy was the major factor. And we did send a "chummy" email, in Spanish, a week ahead of time explaining that we were frequent Iberostar vacationers, first time at the Grand, and one of us was celebrating their 25th anniversary. Funny thing: By the time we left (on July 23), the occupancy was at 75-80%. I would have thought the low occupancy would be for the summer months, given that this is adult only. At any rate, we had a great time (review forthcoming), and I'm happy it filled up...but not while we were there

09-25-2012	#8 (permalink)
kizrakimm sandflea Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Upgrade I have stayed at the Iberostar Tucan 8 times in the past and this next time (Oct2) will be the 9th. I emailed them back when I booked the trip, in Jan, and asked for an upgrade. Of course they couldn't accommodate it for me at that time. In the last week, I have been emailing back and forth to them about upgrading one week out and of course, I have to pay for my room. It is $90/per night, but let me tell you, I requested a certain room, and we love it!! I would pay $150 per night extra for that room. Excellent location. I just wish someone would be nice and comp me for a change..Oh well. I will always return to the Tucan, no matter what!!! Love it!!!

07-11-2012	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	I wouldn't think the hotel is going to offer up any kind of free upgrade to a prime oceanfront room, and don't think a "tip" is going to be much help either. At times that tip can be taken as an insult by the staff - for thinking that an expensive upgrade can be had for $20, $50 or whatever. I've stayed at many AI hotels in the area and I personally would never offer a tip for an upgrade. If I want an upgrade, and I usually do, I ask how much and then decide if it's something I can afford. Feel free to try because you never know, but the only people I know who have been comped are several time repeat guests, or sometimes honeymooners who get very lucky. If it's a room you really want, then just ask what the cost is and pay for it. My dos pesos anyway.

07-13-2012	#3 (permalink)
LAtoro sandflea Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4	Thanks for the reply. I certainly wouldn't tip $20 for a $500 upgrade, but in my travels to Vegas, where upgrades are always available for the "whales" (which I am not one), I have found that handing a c-note upon checkin has yielded good results. I was just wondering if anyone had ever gone that route for an upgrade at the Grand.

07-13-2012	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	I'm quite sure someone has, and as mentioned, you can certainly try - all they can say is no. But an upscale, all inclusive adults only resort isn't like Vegas, "tips" can be taken offensively by some staff members but you'll only know how it works out when and if you try it. To add: I see you posted the question of Trip Advisor and have 2 pages of responses. Those people are on the money, and pretty much said what I did but used the word "bribe" instead of tip. That's what I was talking about when I said that a "tip" can be taken as an insult, they just worded it more strongly than I did. That tip can cost someone their job if they were to upgrade you for it. I would just ask how much the upgrade is, see if it's negotiable and if you want it, pay for it.

07-30-2012	#6 (permalink)
LAtoro sandflea Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 4	Shammy, after reading the various replies on tripadvisor, I appreciate your mature response. I didn't think such an inquiry would result in some of the rude comments on TA.

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